GAME

[JPickford (retired mod)]

I find it amazing that people defend the actions of Game staff who make things up.

There is NO EXCUSE for a shop assistant to make up wrong information.

There is NO EXCUSE for that shop assistant to wrongly contradict a customer.

I'm sure these rogue Game employees are a minority but they definitely exist and they should not be defended. Game shops, sadly seem to attract ignorant know-it-alls who are more interested in forcing their wrong opinions on customers than serving them.

Most normal people don't contradict others unless that actually have some facts at hand.

[DJ Sack]

JP, even on this forum you still get people who are missinformed, i think your a bit naive to think most normal people know everything about thousands of products.

Im not defending them, its just everyone hates GAME because someone didnt know the answer to something and said what they believed was right, if it was saying the GC is crap it'd be a different story, but its about something being available or not.

[ModoX]

It seems that the knowledge of the staff isn't the issue here, it's the way they deal when they don't know something. My local shopping centre has two Games now, literally 30 seconds walk from each other (one used to be an EB), the old EB is an awful place, full of idiotic staff, I have far too many funny stories about EB to mention. Yet the Game that is right upstairs are great, I went in once and one of the staff apologised to me for a female staff member who was literally jumping around squealing because her American GC and Animal Crossing had arrived, so I (already owning it) ended up having a conversation about it with her. It's really amazing to see the two so close together and being so different.

[Kelthink]

JP, even on this forum you still get people who are missinformed, i think your a bit naive to think most normal people know everything about thousands of products.

Im not defending them, its just everyone hates GAME because someone didnt know the answer to something and said what they believed was right, if it was saying the GC is crap it'd be a different story, but its about something being available or not.

Yeah, you're pretty right about 'not knowing about 5,000+ products' in a shop.

Thing is, about 4,500 just lay there gathering dust.

The impression about GAME staff is that they're there to sell, and rarely know anything about games. Which is bullshit. When I go into MusicZone, they don't fob me off with guff; they do their job.

Here's the point: it's not right to lie. Nobody likes it.

[gwh]

If you're working somewhere dealing with customers, you should at least ask your manager if you don't know something. Making up bullshit just breeds resentment when the customer finds out you've lied.

(Bollocks. Kelthink just said what I was going to say.)

[JPickford (retired mod)]

JP, even on this forum you still get people who are missinformed, i think your a bit naive to think most normal people know everything about thousands of products.

Im not defending them, its just everyone hates GAME because someone didnt know the answer to something and said what they believed was right, if it was saying the GC is crap it'd be a different story, but its about something being available or not.

You ARE defending them.

These people are idiots. If they don't know they should admit it, not make shit up.

There's no shame in having to look something up. No customer will think badly of an assistant who goes away to check.

The people we are talking about are just smart-arses who THINK they know everything or like to pretend they do. People who get a kick out of contradicting a customer asking a legitimate question.

There's nothing naive about expecting decent, honest service. A good manager would spot these idiots and get rid sharpish.

[DJ Sack]

I think one problem is that there is no where inside a GAME store to look this stuff up, sure you can ask other people, like i used to, but its not like they can go out back and pull out a book with it all in sadly.

Now you say make shit up, i dont think thats the case, its more likely they have been missinformed something as the truth, and thus are passing it on as the truth, if they knew better then they would give better answers but they dont.

GAMES actualy mission statement is to give the customer excellent service so they keep coming back because they got the right information and had great customer service. The trouble with GAME is that nothing works on commission, so even though a member of staff may be misinforming the public, they may still be a great seller, gift of the gab and all that.

Like ive said before, if you have a problem with a member of staff being crap, put in a complaint and it'll get sorted quickly.

I think a quick stint in retail for everyone would show you all how it actually feels to be the person in the store selling, not buying, especially as you'll get customers demanding The Getaway for the xbox as its been 'rumoured' in a magazine or the internet so it must be true.

Like i say, you got a problem, inform the manager, its not easy to watch members of staff, run a store and do a million other jobs all at once, managers in GAME do have it pretty tough compared to other stores.

[Guest Penguin_Lad]

Game isnt a specialisted store really. they are a high street operation that sells to the mainstream. They hire staff for different roles, management to run the store, sales staff to sell products, stock room people etc etc. If it was badly run GAME wouldnt be here today, but they are. Same for the likes of comets and dixons etc et al. Its not just limited to GAME 99% of shops you enter sales staff wont know much. Go into HMV and ask if a certain album has a certain track, im sure no member of staff would know unless they liked that band.

Penguin lad, the staff in the store have to appear confidant to sell products, and the thing is many more customers come in spouting more crap than the staff.

If you both have a problem with the service, call/write to the manager of the store and complain about the sales person that way, the manager will have a word, make sure they are more trained up, meaning they give u better information, instead of moaning here, tell someone who will actually fix it.

At my store i used to get letters saying how great i was, because i gave people the right information and was a general help. The staff who got bad letters i had to train to be better, and i made sure they were better trained. So trust me, one quick call is all it takes to make your store a better place.

Also GAME staff dont earn bonus's or commission.

It WAS the manager I was "discussing" a few things with...as I said the staff were generally fine. Apart from one chap who used to talk total bollocks - I once heard him half-recommending GTA3 "For a 6 year old".

To be honest the BEST way to complain about ANYONE is to goto head office. Often if a manager gets a letter/call to the store direct, they MAY try and hide it - after all it reflects badly on them.

Complain direct to head office, and they get shit coming down on THEIR head.

[dam_aks]

I work in a mountain bike shop.

I know most things, but far from all.

If a customer brings me their broken wheel and I think the hub is shagged, I will tell them that, but get a second opinion as well. I could be wrong, it’s the customers money - may as well check.

Just making something up isn't a good idea, it just leads to problems later when someone who does understand the issue sees that you have fucked up.

It is though, totally idiotic for anyone to expect teenagers in retail to know everything about every single product in a store.

[SixT-4]

In my local GAME a lot of the staff seem to be gamers themselves and are very well informed.

There is a middle-aged woman who does seem a bit confused though

[Guest Penguin_Lad]

I've never really had a problem with GAME because if I ever buy anything there (rarely) it's just "pick up and away I go" type stuff.

But it's when they try and blag it and bluff their way out of situations it pisses me off.

My sister went to get Wind Waker for my nephew for Christmas and was looking for a used copy. In GAME store number 1 in Bournemouth they said "Oh you won't be able to get a second hand copy, but we'll sell you a new one!"

She went to Bournemouth GAME store number 2, about half a dozen of second hand ones in perfect nick with the bonus disc.

Twats.

I actually once asked if in a nearby GAME if they had any Burnout 2's on Xbox. The assistant said no. So as he was out the back getting the other game, I decided to check through the second hand stuff...

Sure enough there was 2 copies, at 15 quid each! What a wanker, why didn't he tell me about this, or look for himself?!

[dam_aks]

They are just kids.

If you know it, then you shouldn't have to ask.

If they fuck up - big deal. Not the end of the world.

Lets be realistic here. If you worked in Game, would you give a shit?

I know I wouldn't.

[Monkichi 2.0]

I see people talk a load of shit on this forum every day, and we're all supposed to be "experts"*. I don't see how much assistance you need in GAME. Walk in, find a game you want, buy it. "Do you have..." questions are annying, look on the shelf, if they have it it will be there.

* In comparison to norma shop assistants.

[Jack]

That's not the case always. Once I went into GameStation, and didn't see any 251 memory cards out on the shelves. I went up to the counter and asked, and lo and behold, the guy went into the back and came back with a boxful, and sold me one.

[Guest Penguin_Lad]

Personally I used to work in CEX, and I always gave as balanced advice as possible. If I didn't know something I would ask someone else in the store. If a customer told me something I didn't know I would say "Interesting", and take stock. It's so simple!

It just got my back up that the 30 something manager was trying to bullshit me.

[Jacopo]

They are just kids.

If you know it, then you shouldn't have to ask.

If they fuck up - big deal. Not the end of the world.

Lets be realistic here. If you worked in Game, would you give a shit?

I know I wouldn't.

[emjay2kay]

I think a quick stint in retail for everyone would show you all how it actually feels to be the person in the store selling, not buying, especially as you'll get customers demanding The Getaway for the xbox as its been 'rumoured' in a magazine or the internet so it must be true.

I must admit, I wouldn't want to put up with that shit either.

Me and my friend were browsing through the store, and picked up the Pokemon Sapphire/DIamond preorder boxes, which were due out in July. (IIRC. I forget the last Pokemon games to come out.) I asked my friend if he was going to get it, seeing as he's into Pokemon etc, and he replied "I've already got it." When I asked where he got it from, he decided it would be a good idea to make it known to the staff members nearby that he'd downloaded it, and didn't have to pay for it, as if he was somehow the greatest guy on earth because of this.

I hate the fact he downloads games anyway, but I thought it was rather cuntish of him to be bragging about it, in front of the staff especially. They must get a hundred nobheads like that a day, spouting off thier own rubbish and "facts" and whatnot. I don't think I'd be able to keep quiet with tits like that entering my store everyday.

[Guest Penguin_Lad]

I must admit, I wouldn't want to put up with that shit either.

Me and my friend were browsing through the store, and picked up the Pokemon Sapphire/DIamond preorder boxes, which were due out in July. (IIRC. I forget the last Pokemon games to come out.) I asked my friend if he was going to get it, seeing as he's into Pokemon etc, and he replied "I've already got it." When I asked where he got it from, he decided it would be a good idea to make it known to the staff members nearby that he'd downloaded it, and didn't have to pay for it, as if he was somehow the greatest guy on earth because of this.

I hate the fact he downloads games anyway, but I thought it was rather cuntish of him to be bragging about it, in front of the staff especially. They must get a hundred nobheads like that a day, spouting off thier own rubbish and "facts" and whatnot. I don't think I'd be able to keep quiet with tits like that entering my store everyday.

You should have jumped on him, wrestled him to the ground, and made a citizen's arrest.

[ModoX]

I must admit, I wouldn't want to put up with that shit either.

Me and my friend were browsing through the store, and picked up the Pokemon Sapphire/DIamond preorder boxes, which were due out in July. (IIRC. I forget the last Pokemon games to come out.) I asked my friend if he was going to get it, seeing as he's into Pokemon etc, and he replied "I've already got it." When I asked where he got it from, he decided it would be a good idea to make it known to the staff members nearby that he'd downloaded it, and didn't have to pay for it, as if he was somehow the greatest guy on earth because of this.

I hate the fact he downloads games anyway, but I thought it was rather cuntish of him to be bragging about it, in front of the staff especially. They must get a hundred nobheads like that a day, spouting off thier own rubbish and "facts" and whatnot. I don't think I'd be able to keep quiet with tits like that entering my store everyday.

Yeah, that'd annoy me. I feel like hiding when I'm in a store with a mate and they'll go "man, this place is a fucking rip-off" or something. Especially if staff are nearby, it's incredibly embarassing, if you need to communicate something negative just say it quietly, politely, and away from staff, for their sakes.

Oh, and those pre-order boxes are a nightmare, the amount of times I've heard people confused as to why boxes are on the shelves but the game isn't in stock. You can never over estimate the stupidity of the general public.

[emjay2kay]

You should have jumped on him, wrestled him to the ground, and made a citizen's arrest.

I can't be arsed putting in the physical effort of wrestling him to the ground.

I just gave his address to FACT and let them do the hard work.

[DJ Sack]

You wouldnt believe the amount of people who told me they download software cos games are too expensive, id always come back saying it was them who made games to expensive and by doing that they are stopping more games being made. They'd get angry at that as if its their right to pirate stuff, its not big, its not clever, and frankly i dont care if you pirate software or not.

the public is thick, games like MGS2 had huge pre order boxes with 'PRE ORDER THIS NOW!' in huge writting all across the box, yet people still asked to buy it, even worse i had grown adults asking me what game '1' was, it was a number from the chart they had picked up thinking it was a game, i dont think they was taking the mick either.

[JPickford (retired mod)]

Lets be realistic here. If you worked in Game, would you give a shit?

Yes.

If I cleaned the streets I would give a shit. If you take a job on then you should do that job to the best of your ability.

And I HAVE worked in a computer game shop (20 years ago!). And I didn't feel the need to lie, contradict or insult customers.

[JPickford (retired mod)]

You wouldnt believe the amount of people who told me they download software cos games are too expensive, id always come back saying it was them who made games to expensive and by doing that they are stopping more games being made. They'd get angry at that as if its their right to pirate stuff, its not big, its not clever, and frankly i dont care if you pirate software or not.

You should not be lecturing your customers. If that say stuff like that you should ignore it. Your job is to serve them and provide the best sales assistance you can. If you get idiots bragging about piracy then so what? Who's paying you to be a moral guardian?

It's not big or clever to lecture customers. No matter what you think of them.

[JPickford (retired mod)]

the public is thick, games like MGS2 had huge pre order boxes with 'PRE ORDER THIS NOW!' in huge writting all across the box, yet people still asked to buy it,

I've almost done that myself several times. It's bloody stupid to put boxes on the shelves when the game isn't available.

The 'Preorder this' sticker at first glance looks just like their other stickers (lowest price guaranteed) etc.

[JPickford (retired mod)]

I know if I cleaned the streets I wouldn't give two shits about how well I did it. The pay and mundanity of the job reflects this.

To teenagers, retail is just a way to make quick cash. If all I had to look forward was a shit job for the rest of my life I wouldn't care about it at all.

Well I think that's a crappy attitude. Taking on a job is an agreement with your employer. Deliberately doing a bad job is dishonest and shows a lack of integrity.

[DJ Sack]

You should not be lecturing your customers. If that say stuff like that you should ignore it. Your job is to serve them and provide the best sales assistance you can. If you get idiots bragging about piracy then so what? Who's paying you to be a moral guardian?

It's not big or clever to lecture customers. No matter what you think of them.

But in a gaming shop, where people buying the games pays your wages, surely your gona want to tell them that.

Besides some people have been brought up on the notion piracy is okay, how would you like it John if i walked into your offices and started selling copies of pillage to your staff for 50p each? Especially as other customers listen in and think 'why am i buying this for 30 quid, when that guy over there could get it for me for 5.'

Its called caring about your job and thats why GAME staff never tell people they pirate games, even though many probably do.

[emjay2kay]

I think in some instances (like after the DC's demise) piracy is forgivable.

Forgivable or not, I don't think it's a great thing to brag about it in front of staff who's job it is to sell that game and make money from it.

I didn't walk into Game after getting Viewtiful Joe on import and say "Viewtiful Joe.. down for release in October is it? Ha! Well in your face!! I already have it!" It's just a twatish thing to do if you ask me.

[JPickford (retired mod)]

But in a gaming shop, where people buying the games pays your wages, surely your gona want to tell them that.

Besides some people have been brought up on the notion piracy is okay, how would you like it John if i walked into your offices and started selling copies of pillage to your staff for 50p each? Especially as other customers listen in and think 'why am i buying this for 30 quid, when that guy over there could get it for me for 5.'

Its called caring about your job and thats why GAME staff never tell people they pirate games, even though many probably do.

You analogy is nonsense. Nobody came into your shop selling pirate copies. Some areshole was bragging about doing something stupid. So what? None of your business.

Its not about caring for your job its more like bringing attitudes to work that belong at home.

[DJ Sack]

You'd be surprised the amount of people who try to trade pirate games or even ask for them!

[JPickford (retired mod)]

You'd be surprised the amount of people who try to trade pirate games or even ask for them!

Sure, but politely informing them that you don't deal in such stuff is all you need to do.